Sacred Heart Medical Center

WSNA met with your management today, 5-7-2012, for the Reassignment/Layoff process affecting the OR and DBDS. Due to WSNA’s persistence, a short while into the process management decided not to continue on.  All the nurses should have been notified by management that they were not going through with the reassignment/layoff today.  After some discussion, Management stated they will be doing the following:

• Meeting with the OR/DBDS nurses and discuss options and seek input
• Explore seeking volunteers to increase or decrease hours and shift length
• Get back to WSNA after the above is done

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:
Debi Bessmer, WSNA Nurse Rep
dbessmer@wsna.org
1-800-231-8482 ext 3112

Unfortunately WSNA has formally been given official notice by management for reassignment/layoff in the Surgical Services Department.  The units identified so far are OR and Day Surgery.  Your Officers and Nurse Rep will meet with management within 10 days to discuss the process.

Here is what you can do:

Review your contract under article 9.5 Reassignment/Layoff.

Come to one of the  Local Unit meetings to listen and ask questions:

Date:  April 27th

Time / Place:          
0600-0700 (Avista A&B)
or
1530-1700 (Leahy Room on L3)

If you have questions, contact your Nurse Rep or Officers at:

• Debi Bessmer, Nurse Rep at dbessmer@wsna.org or 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3112.
• Officers at voice-tel 1-866-305-5612

If you work a combination of shift lengths at Sacred Heart Medical Center and feel you may not have been paid according to the contract for rest between shifts for two consecutive eight hour shifts from September, 2011 to the present, please contact WSNA Nurse Rep Debi Bessmer as soon as possible at 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3112 or dbessmer@wsna.org.

The Health Insurance Committee has met and here is what we know so far:

• For the bargaining unit nurses, the PHP Primary plan is staying in place and not changing to ProvPreferred PPO.
• More details about the Healthy Advantage plan to come. We are awaiting more information. 

Your members on the Health Insurance Committee are:
Marty Avey
Deb Perry
Camille Sturdivant-Daly
Cathy Harris
Kathy Warren

Any questions or concerns please contact:
Debi Bessmer, WSNA Nurse Rep
dbessmer@wsna.org
1-800-231-8482, ext. 3112
 

In a blow to patient safety and worker rights, the Washington State Court of Appeals on August 25th overturned the decision of longtime Spokane Superior Court Judge Kathleen O'Conner related to rest breaks.  WSNA is extremely disappointed with the  2-1 decision which found that Sacred Heart Medical Center had satisfied its obligations under the Minimum Wage Act by paying nurses straight time for missed rest breaks that resulted in overtime hours worked. 

The decision is a disappointment for all nurses in the State.  It is particularly disturbing as the decision fails to apply fundamental legal principles that ensure workers are not wrongly denied pay for their labor.  Patient safety and protecting nurses against fatigue through uninterrupted meal and rest breaks remains a top priority for WSNA and the nurses at Sacred Heart Medical Center. 

We will continue our fight for patient safety and examine all options of next steps related to this lawsuit.  Please cont

Attention Spokane area nurses! Over 200 nurses signed up to attend the WSNA Spokane area nurses Unity Dinner.

(PDF; 1.75MB) with pictures and descriptions of the fun filled and energetic event. See if you recognize any of your fellow nurses enjoying a lovely evening of solidarity and unity together.

The PEP program was voted in by the bargaining unit.

Here is an overview of the new program:

• The Professional Enhancement Program (PEP).  PEP would be a new voluntary reward and recognition program supporting certified registered nurses (RNC).
• PEP is designed to encourage and support RNCs who participate in activities that enhance the profession of nursing evidenced by participation in activities beyond the normal expectations outlined in their job descriptions. 
• Points would be earned over the course of the year as defined by their plan and will result in the level of incentive payment for RNCs.  Incentive payment ranges between $350.00 and $1,000.00.

The vote for the health insurance change from the Healthy Advantage Plan to the ProveSelect HSA did NOT pass so all plans will stay the same, which are; Sacred Heart Primary Plan (PHP), Group Health (GHC), and Group Health (GHC) Welcome Plan and Health Advantage Plan.